What is the exciting force?

Answer 1

The exciting force is the moment that follows the introduction (also called exposition or set-up) of a drama and initiates the rising action (also called development); it consists of a resolution on the part of the protagonist or the primary antagonist to accomplish some major goal, the pursuit of which constitutes the chief action of the play. It is to be distinguished from the exciting cause, which is that part of the introduction that provides the primary motivation for the exciting force.

* In Antigone, the exciting cause is Creon's announcement that anyone who buries Polyneices will be put to death; the exciting force is Antigone's resolution to bury her brother. * In Hamlet, the exciting cause is the Ghost's announcement of his murder to Hamlet, followed by a command to take revenge; the exciting force is Hamlet's resolution to avenge his father's murder. In a five-act play, the exciting force usually occurs at or near the end of the first act, or sometimes at the beginning of the second act. If there are any subplots, each individual subordinate action will have its own exciting force.

Answer 2

The exciting force is a force that is applied to a system to set it into motion or vibration. It is typically used in the context of mechanical systems or structures where external forces are needed to initiate or sustain motion.